MANILA, Philippines?There was one winning solution to the problems crippling Philippine sports but this was rudely overrun by political events following the change in administration.
If we are to believe former President Fidel V. Ramos, the baton fell when it was handed to the next president who succeeded him.
?The most important step to take now is to implement the strategic, long-term ?Sports For All? program mandated by Executive Orders 63 and 64, series 1993, that has long been on the drawing boards of the Philippine Sports Commission,? Ramos stated in his column in the Manila Bulletin on Sunday.
This specific program focused on mass-based sports where physical fitness and teamwork are emphasized.
The former Chief Executive noted that assignment of responsibilities should be carried out by various agencies: DECS for physical education and school sports, DILG for community-based sports, DND/PNP/AFP for military sports, DoLE/Civil Service Commission for labor sports, Philippine Olympic Committee and National Sports Association for elite sports, and Games and Amusements Board for professional sports.
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?Under my direction, the strategic blueprint was prepared and refined by the PSC, principally under chair Philip Juico. The essential program components were identified, established, coordinated, and activated,? Ramos wrote.
The former president said all the winning components were there but these, it goes without saying, fell into fragments after he left Malacañang.
The program could still be revived and fulfilled but Ramos could only lament the fact that, instead of looking for workable solutions, the first thing our failed RP sports leaders did upon returning from the Beijing Olympics was put the blame on everybody except themselves.
?The RP Chef-de-Mission Monico Puentevella is partially correct, but he sounds too much like passing the buck?which it is?because the budget is just a part of the bigger national problem in sports,? Ramos explained.
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Himself speaking, Philip Juico, whom Ramos said was mainly responsible for crafting the Sports For All program, said that lack of funds was definitely not the main problem behind the dismal RP showing in Beijing last month.
?You don?t need a single cent to put things into order, all you need is imagination and dedication,? Juico told the Philippine Daily Inquirer last week as he prepared to board the plane for Singapore.
You may not have to spend in order to coordinate and put to work a winning program, Juico stressed.
Yes, indeed, assured former President Ramos.
He explained: ?In his landmark book ?Sports and Governance? (2000) Juico records: ?For the first time in the history of Philippine sports, we produced a visionary map in the medium term (1998-2004) which is part of the updated six-year national development plan turned over by the Ramos administration to the Estrada administration.??
He continued: ?The key component thereof was the Partnership Program for Sports For All (PPSA) which mobilized financial and in-kind resources, including roadshows in the US prior to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Today, 15 years later, with a larger economy and more corporate contributors, PPSA only needs more effective coordination and management so that there is a smarter prioritization and allocation of resources thus made available, keeping in mind that the sports sectors most likely to win medals in the Olympics should be given top priority.?
The former president did not say it but all those who may need Juico could always call on the guy, who?s himself cocksure RP could still win if only the proper solutions are applied by competent, selfless leaders.
